Veggie Lasagna -- This Is It!

Many, Many, Many years ago (like 20 or so), I came across this recipe in the Boston Globe recipe section.  At that time, the recipes were in a very small column, with tiny print and no pictures.  If you look at the Food section now, it's amazing how far the foodies have pushed the paper along, with pictures, ratings, and contests, all to benefit their readers.  I've been asked for the recipe several times, and, due to its length, it's a bit of a chore to write out time after time.  Here it is for posterity.  And please remember, my measurements for savory food (as opposed to baked goods) are never exact, so you will have to judge the amounts you prefer as you go along.  I will post a picture next time I make it.  Enjoy.

BOSTON GLOBE'S VEGGIE LASAGNA

This recipe will fill one 9x13 baking pan.  If you have a deeper and/or larger pan, you may want to increase the veggies and the bechamel.  You will need to lightly grease the pan (I spray PAM on it), and you will need 1-2 boxes of non-cook lasagna noodles (I use Barilla noodles; you can always use the ones you have to boil, if you prefer).  I also use grated mozzarella (1 bag shredded, or 1 large chunk that I shred myself) in between the layers, though the original recipe does not call for it.

Saute in a pan the following:

1/4 pound butter
1 medium onion, chopped (I added this, as the original does not call for it)
2 medium zucchini, diced
1 bunch broccoli, coarsely chopped (a bit fine, actually)
2 medium yellow squash, diced
1 teaspoon chopped dry oregano
1/2 tsp. salt

Stir the veggies frequently until almost tender (at least 5-7 minutes).

(Optional:  (NB:  I usually do not do this, but the original recipe calls for it, go figure)  Add 2 cups chopped fresh spinach leaves to the mixture.

Let the veggie mixture cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, mix together:  1 1/2 lbs. ricotta cheese (I use 1 lb. light ricotta, and 1/2 lb. whole milk ricotta)  with 2 eggs.  Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and mix together (I added this, too).

In a large sauce pan, mix together your bechamel sauce (I have doubled this, as I always needed more):

1/4 pound butter
1/2 cup flour
4-5 cups milk

Melt the butter completely, whisk in the flour and continue whisking for about 2 minutes until the flour is cooked a bit.  Add the milk all at once and then stir frequently for about 5 minutes until the mixture is thickened (this is your "sauce").  Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese.  Let cool.

Now you are ready to assemble.   As follows:

Spread a thin layer of the bechamel sauce on the bottom of the pan.  Place one layer of lasagna noodles on that, and layer 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, then 1/3 of the veggie mixture over that.   Sprinkle one third of the shredded mozzarella over that, then REPEAT.  Sauce, noodles,  ricotta, veggies, mozzarella; Sauce, noodles, ricotta, veggies, mozzarella -- so that you end up with mozzarella on the top.

If this sounds like a lot of work ... it is!  But, it's Totally worth it (if you do it Occasionally)  and a nice surprise for guests (and great for leftovers).  Good luck!  Email me with questions. 

Where is YOUR underwear made?

The underwear currently in my top bureau drawer is made in several countries, including, among others:  Egypt, Israel (maybe we could get these two countries together for an Underwear Summit), Morocco, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Brazil and Italy.  Only two of the two dozen pairs are made in the United States.  Can you guess which ones?  And, can you guess how hard it was for me to find underwear actually made in the USA?  Which of course I did, but only after being completely shocked one afternoon last week when I looked at the label and saw that I was sporting lingerie made in El Salvador. 

The answer to the first question is:  Hanky Panky is the only underwear brand in my drawer that is made in the USA.  All the others, including those with All American branding, including Victoria's Secret, DKNY, and Calvin Klein (among others), are made all over the world.  Oh, I forgot, there are also some that originated in Vietnam and Brazil.

Now I don't mind helping out the world economy.  But, COME ON!  I don't have to have the World Economy on my ... well,  you know ... around my hips.  I have enough baggage these days around my waist that I don't need any more waste around my hips!

So, I have taken a stand.  I just got online and purchased 7 pairs of Hanky Panky underwear, in various styles and colors.  All are made in the USA with the added benefit of being relatively attractive (okay, maybe not as attractive on me as say, Gisele Bundchen, but we'll see how she is after 3 kids and nearing 50).  And, I will continue to do my little part, as small as it may be, to support American manufacturers and American companies, by at least making an effort to buy American.

It may all sound a little "pie in the sky," and I may eventually be mistaken about where the lace comes from and where the threads come from -- I have actually heard that there are no American manufacturers of thread, but need to research this one a little more ... in my spare time --  and where the sewing machines come from, etc., etc.  But at least I'm starting.  I'm starting to push more of my limited assets (the important monetary ones, not the physical ones) and purchasing power into the hands of an American company that hires workers with the expectation of paying them at least a minimum wage and (possibly) health care benefits, not to mention vacation and sick time.  And, maybe if I start with the smallest piece of clothing in my wardrobe, I'll eventually start making a larger impact by purchasing American-made for the rest of my wardrobe (I hear that Nanette Lepore, for example, makes clothing manufactured primarily in the USA). I don't know about you, but I would rather pay a little more for an American product with the belief that I'm supporting American workers during these difficult times, than pay to support economies outside of the U.S., at least for the time being.

It's a start.  Here's the link for Hanky Panky.  If all of us women tried this, imagine what a difference we could make (and how happy our significant others would be at the intangible -- so to speak -- side benefits).